Choose to give from a place of love
Pause and be silent
Breathe in fresh air and give thanks
Pray and listen for God’s guidance
Walk in the woods and notice nature in all its forms, colours, sounds, smells
Write a letter to a friend, to yourself, to God
Give thanks for the many ordianary and extraordinary blessings in my life
Be kind to myself and others
Retreat into silence when saying something unkind just feels icky
Learn to love one’s self
Hearts pure at birth
Minds untainted by the whispers of others telling us what to think, do, perceive or believe
Maturing slowly from children to teenagers
Grasping to know who we are, what we truly believe
Asking ourselves what or whom would I most like to be
Then the sun breaks through in shades of pink, gray, white with a blue sky behind those clouds
And we know, we aren’t perfect
We are ALL doing the best we can to be a human, an adult, a sister, mother, situ, wife, friend, co-worker, neighbor
Traveling and navigating a Spiritual existence in a human body
We aren’t perfect
If I don’t say the right words at the right time, or misinterpret something you’ve said or done, don’t take it personally, kindness will return, if apologies are needed they will surface and be said, if not, know that this imperfect human is doing the best they can
So to you my brother or sister in Christ, know that in my heart, underneath layers of life’s experience, exists pure love
©Anita Adams 8/2021
trips to see grandchildren, family and friends
hugs
plane rides to Europe
trails to explore without face coverings
movies on the big screen
smiling faces
coffee with friends
going to school
attending live concerts
regular Mass attendance day or weekend
art classes in person
eating out
dressing up
Some things to be REALLY GRATEFUL for…
clean air
blue skies
clear, clean rivers and streams
time to write what’s in my heart
hikes every weekend
a home
running water
Zoom and Duo
heat and air conditioning
a garden
art day
karaoke night
movie night
a good book
photographs, paper, pen, pencil, scissors and glue
mending strained relationships
putting life into perspective
having employment
working with loving individuals
the colours green, blue and pink
yoga
clean laundry
enough food to eat and share
art in all its forms
Hugs
from someone you love
Gratitude for …..
Gratitude for what’s been and what’s now is…
Interesting how the positives weigh out the negatives
Europe in a few Snaps
Where does love go when the light goes out? A question he asked once as a young man in his 60’s . He doesn’t remember asking these days. However, the question is a good one and has remained with me. How to answer this? Love is always present within every human being I believe. For some, a place in the dark could also represent a place of silence, loneliness, or the sound of mental chatter grinding away while one wishes for a lover’s embrace.
As a child, I recall needing two doors left wide open, and a nightlight on at all times in order to feel safe enough to close my eyes and attempt to go to sleep. Where was love in this dark twin bed on the third floor of Macon Avenue?
Why was light the only key to my safety?
Where was love when this light went out?
~ Anita Adams 2/4/2019
he wrote once …
where does love go when the light goes out
a question to ponder
the answer, I believe is under the covers
faith steps in and out
a dance, a rhythm of breath and sound
where does love go when the lights go out
love is always present
just whisper and listen
I’m here under the covers
©Anita Adams 2018
how to answer… with abandon … with caution… with heart wide open… love loves... hurts have torn me to the bone… cored my heart out like one cores out an apple, made me bleed tears and shook me like a coconut tree, left me on a road alone, abandoned with no one to call, feeling naked and afraid,
love calls … like the warmth of the sun when you least expect it, standing alone on the beach, feet in the sand, treasures abound… the sound of pure love… unmistakable… it’s more than a sound.. it’s an unexpected encounter with another,
love calls … and our love is ignited, visible only to us and others who share a deep connection to heart love, a permeable light fills our hearts, mends any residual damage, restores us to a state of wholeness, and sets our hearts ablaze with a light so bright…it glows and knows without words, that we exist…the ones that love…the ones who believe…the ones who have grieved losses… that love conquers and prevails all trials and tribulations … our hearts opens wide, and what’s left is love’s light…
Love Light like stars twinkling in the sand
can be …
euphoria,
longingness, belonging,
physical, heart centered,
familial, natural,
joyous, sad,
bearable, unbearable,
heard, understood,
misunderstood, raw,
vulnerable, tender,
truthful, hurtful,
void, empty,
here and gone,
a hug or a smile through another’s eyes,
I believe it will ALWAYS come back to where it belongs – your heart – my heart – our souls – our homes.
© Anita Adams 2018
…Never to be underestimated.
Those who are kind, do so out of this special place in their heart.
I’ve met a few people in my life, and recognize the difference between genuine love given (kindness) from those seeking something in return for a favor done.
The difference is this…
… no expectation of a gift of any kind in return. Friendship remains intact and conversations and interactions continue to carry with them their natural rhythm, playfulness, joy, sorrow, triumphs, losses and love.
I’ve given to many people in my lifetime without remembering who or what, and upon occasion, one of these persons will come back to me and say, ‘Hey, thanks again, just wanted to give this back to you.’ I look at them and say, I don’t remember giving this to you. It makes me feel good to give without expectation of something in return. Occasionally, when I can get away with it and have a few extra dollars, I will buy the persons coffee behind me in the coffee line, or bring someone flowers to someone who isn’t expecting anything but my presence. It’s a gift of love and kindness.
© Anita Adams 2018
Called to Write 